Digital camera with postcard printing

ABSTRACT

A digital camera is provided having an image sensor for capturing an image, an image processor for processing image data from the image sensor to produce print data, a printhead for printing the print data, and a cartridge interface for receiving a cartridge having a supply of media substrates pre-printed with postcard formatting and a memory storing information relating to the dimensions of the postcard formatting. The image processor produces the print data in accordance with the stored information accessed via the cartridge interface to produce personalised postcards.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.10/831,235 filed Apr. 26, 2004, which is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S.application Ser. No. 09/112,743 filed on Jul. 10, 1998, now issued U.S.Pat. No. 6,727,951 all of which are herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to digital cameras and in particular, theonboard processing of image data captured by the camera.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recently, digital cameras have become increasingly popular. Thesecameras normally operate by means of imaging a desired image utilising acharge coupled device (CCD) array and storing the imaged scene on anelectronic storage medium for later down loading onto a computer systemfor subsequent manipulation and printing out. Normally, when utilising acomputer system to print out an image, sophisticated software mayavailable to manipulate the image in accordance with requirements.

Unfortunately such systems require significant post processing of acaptured image and normally present the image in an orientation to whichit was taken, relying on the post processing process to perform anynecessary or required modifications of the captured image. Also, much ofthe environmental information available when the picture was taken islost. Furthermore, the type or size of the media substrate and the typesof ink used to print the image can also affect the image quality.Accounting for these factors during post processing of the capturedimage data can be complex and time consuming.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention provides a digital camera comprising:

an image sensor for capturing an image;

an image processor for processing image data from the image sensor andtransmitting processed data to a printhead; and,

an effects interface for user input of one or more predetermined imagemanipulations; such that,

the processed data transmitted to the printhead incorporate the selectedimage manipulations.

The present invention allows the user to perform many common imagemanipulations when the image is captured by inputting required effectvia the interface. This permits the user to print the images in thecamera without first downloading to a desktop system.

Preferably, data relating to the image manipulations are stored onseparate portable memory devices for connection to the effectsinterface.

In a further preferred form, the image manipulations comprise imagerotations, borders, text or clip art.

In yet another preferred form, further adapted for use with a mediacartridge comprising a supply of media substrate on which images can beprinted, and an information store with information relating to the mediasubstrate, wherein the camera further comprises a cartridge interfacefor accessing the information such that the image processor can utilisethe information relating to the media substrate.

The camera accesses information about the media substrate so that theimage processor can utilise the information to enhance the quality ofthe printed image.

Preferably, the media substrate has postcard formatting printed on itsreverse surface so that the camera can produce personalised postcards,and the information store has the dimensions of the postcard formattingto allow the image processor to align printed images with the postcardformatting.

In a further preferred form the cartridge further comprises an inksupply for the printhead and the information store is an authenticationchip that allows the image processor to confirm that the media substrateand the ink supply is suitable for use with the camera.

According to a related aspect, there is provided a digital camera forsensing and storing an image, the camera comprising:

an image sensor with a charge coupled device (CCD) for capturing imagedata relating to a sensed image, and an auto exposure setting foradjusting the image data captured by the CCD in response to the lightingconditions at image capture; and,

an image processor for processing image data from the CCD and storingthe processed data; wherein,

the image processor is adapted to use information from the auto exposuresetting relating to the lighting conditions at image capture whenprocessing the image data from the CCD.

Utilising the auto exposure setting to determine an advantageousre-mapping of colours within the image allows the processor to producean amended image having colours within an image transformed to accountof the auto exposure setting. The processing can comprise re-mappingimage colours so they appear deeper and richer when the exposure settingindicates low light conditions and re-mapping image colours to bebrighter and more saturated when the auto exposure setting indicatesbright light conditions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of thepresent invention, preferred forms of the invention will now bedescribed, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings which:

FIG. 1A illustrates an example camera device;

FIG. 1B illustrates the method of operation of the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates a form of print roll ready for purchase by aconsumer;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view, partly in section, of analternative form of a print roll;

FIG. 4 is a left side exploded perspective view of the print roll ofFIG. 3; and,

FIG. 5 is a right side exploded perspective view of a single print roll.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED AND OTHER EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiment is preferable implemented through suitableprogramming of a hand held camera device such as that described in thepresent applicant's application entitled “A Digital Image PrintingCamera with Image Processing Capability”, the content of which is herebyspecifically incorporated by cross reference and the details of which,and other related applications are set out in the tables below. Anexample of a camera device 100 is shown in FIG. 1A.

The aforementioned patent specification discloses a camera system,hereinafter known as an “Artcam” type camera, wherein sensed images canbe directly printed out by an Artcam portable camera unit. Further, theaforementioned specification discloses means and methods for performingvarious manipulations on images captured by the camera sensing deviceleading to the production of various effects in any output image. Themanipulations are disclosed to be highly flexible in nature and can beimplemented through the insertion into the Artcam of cards havingencoded thereon various instructions for the manipulation of images, thecards hereinafter being known as Artcards. The Artcam further hassignificant onboard processing power by an Artcam Central Processor unit(ACP) which is interconnected to a memory device for the storage ofimportant data and images.

In the preferred embodiment, the Artcam has an auto exposure sensor fordetermining the light level associated with the captured image. Thisauto exposure sensor is utilised to process the image in accordance withthe set light value so as to enhance portions of the image.

Preferably, the area image sensor includes a means for determining thelight conditions when capturing an image. The area image sensor adjuststhe dynamic range of values captured by the CCD in accordance with thedetected level sensor. The captured image is transferred to the Artcamcentral processor and stored in the memory store. Intensity information,as determined by the area image sensor, is also forwarded to the ACP.This information is utilised by the Artcam central processor tomanipulate the stored image to enhance certain effects.

Turning now to FIG. 1, the auto exposure setting information 1 isutilised in conjunction with the stored image 2 to process the image byutilising the ACP. The processed image is returned to the memory storefor later printing out 4 on the output printer.

A number of processing steps can be undertaken in accordance with thedetermined light conditions. Where the auto exposure setting 1 indicatesthat the image was taken in a low light condition, the image pixelcolours are selectively re-mapped so as to make the image coloursstronger, deeper and richer.

Where the auto exposure information indicates that highlight conditionswere present when the image was taken, the image colours can beprocessed to make them brighter and more saturated. The re-colouring ofthe image can be undertaken by conversion of the image to ahue-saturation-value (HSV) format and an alteration of pixel values inaccordance with requirements. The pixel values can then be outputconverted to the required output colour format of printing.

Of course, many different re-colouring techniques may be utilised.Preferably, the techniques are clearly illustrated on the pre-requisiteArtcard inserted into the reader.

Alternatively, the image processing algorithms can be automaticallyapplied and hard-wired into the camera for utilization in certainconditions.

Alternatively, the Artcard inserted could have a number of manipulationsapplied to the image which are specific to the auto-exposure setting.For example, clip arts containing candles etc could be inserted in adark image and large suns inserted in bright images.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 to 5, the Artcam prints the images onto mediastored in a replaceable print roll 5. In some preferred embodiments, theoperation of the camera device is such that when a series of images isprinted on a first surface of the print roll, the corresponding backingsurface has a ready made postcard which can be immediately dispatched atthe nearest post office box within the jurisdiction. In this way,personalized postcards can be created.

It would be evident that when utilising the postcard system asillustrated FIG. 2 only predetermined image sizes are possible as thesynchronization between the backing postcard portion and the front imagemust be maintained. This can be achieved by utilising the memoryportions of the authentication chip stored within the print roll 5 tostore details of the length of each postcard backing format sheet. Thiscan be achieved by either having each postcard the same size or bystoring each size within the print rolls on-board print chip memory.

In an alternative embodiment, there is provided a modified form of printroll which can be constructed mostly from injection moulded plasticpieces suitably snapped fitted together. The modified form of print rollhas a high ink storage capacity in addition to a somewhat simplifiedconstruction. The print media onto which the image is to be printed iswrapped around a plastic sleeve former for simplified construction. Theink media reservoir has a series of air vents which are constructed soas to minimise the opportunities for the ink flow out of the air vents.Further, a rubber seal is provided for the ink outlet holes with therubber seal being pierced on insertion of the print roll into a camerasystem. Further, the print roll includes a print media ejection slot andthe ejection slot includes a surrounding moulded surface which providesand assists in the accurate positioning of the print media ejection slotrelative to the printhead within the printing or camera system.

Turning to FIG. 3 there is illustrated a single point roll unit 5 in anassembled form with a partial cutaway showing internal portions of theprint roll. FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 illustrate left and right side explodedperspective views respectively. The print roll 5 is constructed aroundthe internal core portion 6 which contains an internal ink supply.Outside of the core portion 6 is provided a former 7 around which iswrapped a paper or film supply 8. Around the paper supply it isconstructed two cover pieces 9, 10 which snap together around the printroll so as to form a covering unit as illustrated in FIG. 3. The bottomcover piece 10 includes a slot 11 through which the output of the printmedia 12 for interconnection with the camera system.

Two pinch rollers 13, 14 are provided to pinch the paper against a drivepinch roller 15 so they together provide for a decurling of the paperaround the roller 15. The decurling acts to negate the strong curl thatmay be imparted to the paper from being stored in the form of print rollfor an extended period of time. The rollers 13, 14 are provided to forma snap fit with end portions of the cover base portion 10 and the roller15 which includes a cogged end 16 for driving, snap fits into the uppercover piece 9 so as to pinch the paper 12 firmly between.

The cover pieces 9, 10 includes an end protuberance or lip 17. The endlip 17 is provided for accurately alignment of the exit hole of thepaper with a corresponding printing heat platen structure within thecamera system. In this way, accurate alignment or positioning of theexiting paper relative to an adjacent printhead is provided for fullguidance of the paper to the printhead.

It would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that numerousvariations and/or modifications may be made to the present invention asshown in the specific embodiment without departing from the spirit orscope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiment is,therefore, to be considered in all respects to be illustrative and notrestrictive.

The present invention is best utilized in the Artcam device, the detailsof which are set out in the following paragraphs.

Ink Jet Technologies

The embodiments of the invention use an ink jet printer type device. Ofcourse many different devices could be used. However presently popularink jet printing technologies are unlikely to be suitable.

The most significant problem with thermal inkjet is power consumption.This is approximately 100 times that required for high speed, and stemsfrom the energy-inefficient means of drop ejection. This involves therapid boiling of water to produce a vapor bubble which expels the ink.Water has a very high heat capacity, and must be superheated in thermalinkjet applications. This leads to an efficiency of around 0.02%, fromelectricity input to drop momentum (and increased surface area) out.

The most significant problem with piezoelectric inkjet is size and cost.Piezoelectric crystals have a very small deflection at reasonable drivevoltages, and therefore require a large area for each nozzle. Also, eachpiezoelectric actuator must be connected to its drive circuit on aseparate substrate. This is not a significant problem at the currentlimit of around 300 nozzles per print head, but is a major impediment tothe fabrication of pagewide print heads with 19,200 nozzles.

Ideally, the inkjet technologies used meet the stringent requirements ofin-camera digital color printing and other high quality, high speed, lowcost printing applications. To meet the requirements of digitalphotography, new inkjet technologies have been created. The targetfeatures include:

low power (less than 10 Watts)

high resolution capability (1,600 dpi or more)

photographic quality output

low manufacturing cost

small size (pagewidth times minimum cross section)

high speed (<2 seconds per page).

All of these features can be met or exceeded by the inkjet systemsdescribed below with differing levels of difficulty. 45 different inkjettechnologies have been developed by the Assignee to give a wide range ofchoices for high volume manufacture. These technologies form part ofseparate applications assigned to the present Assignee as set out in thetable below.

The inkjet designs shown here are suitable for a wide range of digitalprinting systems, from battery powered one-time use digital cameras,through to desktop and network printers, and through to commercialprinting systems

For ease of manufacture using standard process equipment, the print headis designed to be a monolithic 0.5 micron CMOS chip with MEMS postprocessing. For color photographic applications, the print head is 100mm long, with a width which depends upon the inkjet type. The smallestprint head designed is IJ38, which is 0.35 mm wide, giving a chip areaof 35 square mm. The print heads each contain 19,200 nozzles plus dataand control circuitry.

Ink is supplied to the back of the print head by injection moldedplastic ink channels. The molding requires 50 micron features, which canbe created using a lithographically micromachined insert in a standardinjection molding tool. Ink flows through holes etched through the waferto the nozzle chambers fabricated on the front surface of the wafer. Theprint head is connected to the camera circuitry by tape automatedbonding.

CROSS-REFERENCED APPLICATIONS

The following table is a guide to cross-referenced patent applicationsfiled concurrently herewith and discussed hereinafter with the referencebeing utilized in subsequent tables when referring to a particular case:

Docket No Reference Title IJ01US 6227652 Radiant Plunger Ink Jet PrinterIJ02US 6213588 Electrostatic Ink Jet Printing Mechanism IJ03US 6213589Planar Thermoelastic Bend Actuator Ink Jet Printing Mechanism IJ04US6231163 Stacked Electrostatic Ink Jet Printing Mechanism IJ05US 6247795Reverse Spring Lever Ink Jet Printing Mechanism IJ06US 6394581 PaddleType Ink Jet Printing Mechanism IJ07US 6244691 Ink Jet PrintingMechanism IJ08US 6257704 Planar Swing Grill Electromagnetic Ink JetPrinting Mechanism IJ09US 6416168 Pump Action Refill Ink Jet PrintingMechanism IJ10US 6220694 Pulsed Magnetic Field Ink Jet PrintingMechanism IJ11US 6257705 Two Plate Reverse Firing Electromagnetic InkJet Printing Mechanism IJ12US 6247794 Linear Stepper Actuator Ink JetPrinting Mechanism IJ13US 6234610 Gear Driven Shutter Ink Jet PrintingMechanism IJ14US 6247793 Tapered Magnetic Pole Electromagnetic Ink JetPrinting Mechanism IJ15US 6264306 Linear Spring Electromagnetic GrillInk Jet Printing Mechanism IJ16US 6241342 Lorenz DiaphragmElectromagnetic Ink Jet Printing Mechanism IJ17US 6247792 PTFE SurfaceShooting Shuttered Oscillating Pressure Ink Jet Printing MechanismIJ18US 6264307 Buckle Grill Oscillating Pressure Ink Jet PrintingMechanism IJ19US 6254220 Shutter Based Ink Jet Printing Mechanism IJ20US6234611 Curling Calyx Thermoelastic Ink Jet Printing Mechanism IJ21US6302528 Thermal Actuated Ink Jet Printing Mechanism IJ22US 6283582 IrisMotion Ink Jet Printing Mechanism IJ23US 6239821 Direct Firing ThermalBend Actuator Ink Jet Printing Mechanism IJ24US 6338547 Conductive PTFEBend Actuator Vented Ink Jet Printing Mechanism IJ25US 6247796Magnetostrictive Ink Jet Printing Mechanism IJ26US 6557977 Shape MemoryAlloy Ink Jet Printing Mechanism IJ27US 6390603 Buckle Plate Ink JetPrinting Mechanism IJ28US 6362843 Thermal Elastic Rotary Impeller InkJet Printing Mechanism IJ29US 6293653 Thermoelastic Bend Actuator InkJet Printing Mechanism IJ30US 6312107 Thermoelastic Bend Actuator UsingPTFE Corrugated Heater Ink Jet Printing Mechanism IJ31US 6227653 BendActuator Direct Ink Supply Ink Jet Printing Mechanism IJ32US 6234609High Young's Modulus Thermoelastic Ink Jet Printing Mechanism IJ33US6238040 Thermally Actuated Slotted Chamber Wall Ink Jet PrintingMechanism IJ34US 6188415 Ink Jet Printer having a Thermal ActuatorComprising an External Coil Spring IJ35US 6227654 Trough Container InkJet Printing Mechanism with Paddle IJ36US 6209989 Dual Chamber SingleActuator Ink Jet Printing Mechanism IJ37US 6247791 Dual Nozzle SingleHorizontal Fulcrum Actuator Ink Jet Printing Mechanism IJ38US 6336710Dual Nozzle Single Horizontal Actuator Ink Jet Printing Mechanism IJ39US6217153 Single Bend Actuator Cupped Paddle Ink Jet Printing MechanismIJ40US 6416167 Thermally Actuated Ink Jet Printing Mechanism having aSeries of Thermal Actuator Units IJ41US 6243113 Thermally Actuated InkJet Printing Mechanism including a Tapered Heater Element IJ42US 6283581Radial Back-Curling Thermoelastic Ink Jet Printing Mechanism IJ43US6247790 Inverted Radial Back-Curling Thermoelastic Ink Jet PrintingMechanism IJ44US 6260953 Surface Bend Actuator Vented Ink Supply Ink JetPrinting Mechanism IJ45US 6267469 A Solenoid Actuated Magnetic Plate InkJet Printing Mechanism

Tables of Drop-on-Demand Inkjets

Eleven important characteristics of the fundamental operation ofindividual inkjet nozzles have been identified. These characteristicsare largely orthogonal, and so can be elucidated as an elevendimensional matrix. Most of the eleven axes of this matrix includeentries developed by the present assignee.

The following tables form the axes of an eleven dimensional table ofinkjet types.

Actuator mechanism (18 types)

Basic operation mode (7 types)

Auxiliary mechanism (8 types)

Actuator amplification or modification method (17 types)

Actuator motion (19 types)

Nozzle refill method (4 types)

Method of restricting back-flow through inlet (10 types)

Nozzle clearing method (9 types)

Nozzle plate construction (9 types)

Drop ejection direction (5 types)

Ink type (7 types)

The complete eleven dimensional table represented by these axes contains36.9 billion possible configurations of inkjet nozzle. While not all ofthe possible combinations result in a viable inkjet technology, manymillion configurations are viable. It is clearly impractical toelucidate all of the possible configurations. Instead, certain inkjettypes have been investigated in detail. These are designated IJ01 toIJ45 above.

Other inkjet configurations can readily be derived from these 45examples by substituting alternative configurations along one or more ofthe 11 axes. Most of the IJ01 to IJ45 examples can be made into inkjetprint heads with characteristics superior to any currently availableinkjet technology.

Where there are prior art examples known to the inventor, one or more ofthese examples are listed in the examples column of the tables below.The IJ01 to IJ45 series are also listed in the examples column. In somecases, a printer may be listed more than once in a table, where itshares characteristics with more than one entry.

Suitable applications include: Home printers, Office network printers,Short run digital printers, Commercial print systems, Fabric printers,Pocket printers, Internet WWW printers, Video printers, Medical imaging,Wide format printers, Notebook PC printers, Fax machines, Industrialprinting systems, Photocopiers, Photographic minilabs etc.

The information associated with the aforementioned 11 dimensional matrixare set out in the following tables.

Actuator Mechanism (Applied Only to Selected Ink Drops)

Actuator Mechanism Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples ThermalAn electrothermal heater heats the Large force generated High powerCanon Bubblejet 1979 bubble ink to above boiling point, Simpleconstruction Ink carrier limited to water Endo et al GB transferringsignificant heat to the No moving parts Low efficiency patent 2,007,162aqueous ink. A bubble nucleates Fast operation High temperaturesrequired Xerox heater-in-pit and quickly forms, expelling the Small chiparea required for High mechanical stress 1990 Hawkins et al ink.actuator Unusual materials required U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,181 Theefficiency of the process is Large drive transistors Hewlett-Packard TIJlow, with typically less than Cavitation causes actuator failure 1982Vaught et al 0.05% of the electrical energy Kogation reduces bubbleformation U.S. Pat. No. 4,490,728 being transformed into kinetic Largeprint heads are difficult to energy of the drop. fabricate PiezoelectricA piezoelectric crystal such as Low power consumption Very large arearequired for actuator Kyser et al U.S. Pat. No. lead lanthanum zirconate(PZT) is Many ink types can be used Difficult to integrate withelectronics 3,946,398 electrically activated, and either Fast operationHigh voltage drive transistors required Zoltan U.S. Pat. expands,shears, or bends to apply High efficiency Full pagewidth print headsimpractical No. 3,683,212 pressure to the ink, ejecting drops. due toactuator size 1973 Stemme U.S. Requires electrical poling in high fieldPat. No. 3,747,120 strengths during manufacture Epson Stylus TektronixIJ04 Electro- An electric field is used to Low power consumption Lowmaximum strain (approx. 0.01%) Seiko Epson, Usui et strictive activateelectrostriction in relaxor Many ink types can be used Large arearequired for actuator due to all JP 253401/96 materials such as leadlanthanum Low thermal expansion low strain IJ04 zirconate titanate(PLZT) or lead Electric field strength Response speed is marginal (~ 10μs) magnesium niobate (PMN). required (approx. 3.5 V/μm) High voltagedrive transistors required can be generated Full pagewidth print headsimpractical without difficulty due to actuator size Does not requireelectrical poling Ferroelectric An electric field is used to induce Lowpower consumption Difficult to integrate with electronics IJ04 a phasetransition between the Many ink types can be used Unusual materials suchas PLZSnT are antiferroelectric (AFE) and Fast operation (<1 μs)required ferroelectric (FE) phase. Relatively high longitudinalActuators require a large area Perovskite materials such as tin strainmodified lead lanthanum High efficiency zirconate titanate (PLZSnT)Electric field strength of exhibit large strains of up to 1% around 3V/μm can be associated with the AFE to FE readily provided phasetransition. Electrostatic Conductive plates are separated Low powerconsumption Difficult to operate electrostatic IJ02, IJ04 plates by acompressible or fluid Many ink types can be used devices in an aqueousenvironment dielectric (usually air). Upon Fast operation Theelectrostatic actuator will application of a voltage, the platesnormally need to be separated from attract each other and displace theink ink, causing drop ejection. The Very large area required to achieveconductive plates may be in a high forces comb or honeycomb structure,or High voltage drive transistors may be stacked to increase the surfacerequired area and therefore the force. Full pagewidth print heads arenot competitive due to actuator size Electrostatic A strong electricfield is applied Low current consumption High voltage required 1989Saito et al, pull on ink to the ink, whereupon electrostatic Lowtemperature May be damaged by sparks due to air U.S. Pat. No. 4,799,068attraction accelerates the ink breakdown 1989 Miura et al, towards theprint medium. Required field strength increases as U.S. Pat. No.4,810,954 the drop size decreases Tone-jet High voltage drivetransistors required Electrostatic field attracts dust Permanent Anelectromagnet directly attracts Low power consumption Complexfabrication IJ07, IJ10 magnet a permanent magnet, displacing Many inktypes can be used Permanent magnetic material such as electro- ink andcausing drop ejection. Fast operation Neodymium Iron Boron (NdFeB)magnetic Rare earth magnets with a field High efficiency required.strength around 1 Tesla can be Easy extension from single High localcurrents required used. Examples are: Samarium nozzles to pagewidthCopper metalization should be used Cobalt (SaCo) and magnetic printheads for long electromigration lifetime materials in the neodymium ironand low resistivity boron family (NdFeB, Pigmented inks are usuallyinfeasible NdDyFeBNb, NdDyFeB, etc) Operating temperature limited to theCurie temperature (around 540 K) Soft magnetic A solenoid induced amagnetic Low power consumption Complex fabrication IJ01, IJ05, IJ08,IJ10 core electro- field in a soft magnetic core or Many ink types canbe used Materials not usually present in a IJ12, IJ14, IJ15, IJ17magnetic yoke fabricated from a ferrous Fast operation CMOS fab such asNiFe, CoNiFe, material such as electroplated iron High efficiency orCoFe are required alloys such as CoNiFe [1], CoFe, Easy extension fromsingle High local currents required or NiFe alloys. Typically, the softnozzles to pagewidth Copper metalization should be used magneticmaterial is in two parts, print heads for long electromigration lifetimewhich are normally held apart by and low resistivity a spring. When thesolenoid is Electroplating is required actuated, the two parts attract,High saturation flux density is displacing the ink. required (2.0-2.1 Tis achievable with CoNiFe [1]) Magnetic The Lorenz force acting on a Lowpower consumption Force acts as a twisting motion IJ06, IJ11, IJ13, IJ16Lorenz force current carrying wire in a Many ink types can be usedTypically, only a quarter of the magnetic field is utilized. Fastoperation solenoid length provides force in a This allows the magneticfield to High efficiency useful direction be supplied externally to theprint Easy extension from single High local currents required head, forexample with rare earth nozzles to pagewidth Copper metalization shouldbe used permanent magnets. print heads for long electromigrationlifetime Only the current carrying wire and low resistivity need befabricated on the print- Pigmented inks are usually infeasible head,simplifying materials requirements. Magneto- The actuator uses the giantMany ink types can be used Force acts as a twisting motion Fischenbeck,striction magnetostrictive effect of Fast operation Unusual materialssuch as Terfenol-D U.S. Pat. No. 4,032,929 materials such as Terfenol-D(an Easy extension from single are required IJ25 alloy of terbium,dysprosium and nozzles to pagewidth High local currents required irondeveloped at the Naval print heads Copper metalization should be usedOrdnance Laboratory, hence Ter- High force is available for longelectromigration lifetime Fe-NOL). For best efficiency, the and lowresistivity actuator should be pre-stressed to Pre-stressing may berequired approx. 8 MPa. Surface Ink under positive pressure is held Lowpower consumption Requires supplementary force to effect Silverbrook, EP0771 tension in a nozzle by surface tension. Simple construction dropseparation 658 A2 and related reduction The surface tension of the inkis No unusual materials Requires special ink surfactants patentapplications reduced below the bubble required in fabrication Speed maybe limited by surfactant threshold, causing the ink to High efficiencyproperties egress from the nozzle. Easy extension from single nozzles topagewidth print heads Viscosity The ink viscosity is locally Simpleconstruction Requires supplementary force to effect Silverbrook, EP 0771reduction reduced to select which drops are No unusual materials dropseparation 658 A2 and related to be ejected. A viscosity required infabrication Requires special ink viscosity patent applications reductioncan be achieved Easy extension from single properties electrothermallywith most inks, nozzles to pagewidth High speed is difficult to achievebut special inks can be engineered print heads Requires oscillating inkpressure for a 100:1 viscosity reduction. A high temperature difference(typically 80 degrees) is required Acoustic An acoustic wave isgenerated and Can operate without a Complex drive circuitry 1993Hadimioglu et focussed upon the drop ejection nozzle plate Complexfabrication al, EUP 550,192 region. Low efficiency 1993 Elrod et al, EUPPoor control of drop position 572,220 Poor control of drop volumeThermoelastic An actuator which relies upon Low power consumptionEfficient aqueous operation requires a IJ03, IJ09, IJ17, IJ18 benddifferential thermal expansion Many ink types can be used thermalinsulator on the hot side IJ19, IJ20, IJ21, IJ22 actuator upon Jouleheating is used. Simple planar fabrication Corrosion prevention can bedifficult IJ23, IJ24, IJ27, IJ28 Small chip area required for Pigmentedinks may be infeasible, as IJ29, IJ30, IJ31, IJ32 each actuator pigmentparticles may jam the bend IJ33, IJ34, IJ35, IJ36 Fast operationactuator IJ37, IJ38, IJ39, IJ40 High efficiency IJ41 CMOS compatiblevoltages and currents Standard MEMS processes can be used Easy extensionfrom single nozzles to pagewidth print heads High CTE A material with avery high High force can be generated Requires special material (e.g.PTFE) IJ09, IJ17, IJ18, IJ20 thermoelastic coefficient of thermalexpansion PTFE is a candidate for low Requires a PTFE depositionprocess, IJ21, IJ22, IJ23, IJ24 actuator (CTE) such as dielectricconstant which is not yet standard in ULSI IJ27, IJ28, IJ29, IJ30polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is insulation in ULSI fabs IJ31, IJ42,IJ43, IJ44 used. As high CTE materials are Very low power PTFEdeposition cannot be followed usually non-conductive, a heaterconsumption with high temperature (above 350° C.) fabricated from aconductive Many ink types can be used processing material isincorporated. A 50 μm Simple planar fabrication Pigmented inks may beinfeasible, as long PTFE bend actuator with Small chip area required forpigment particles may jam the bend polysilicon heater and 15 mW eachactuator actuator power input can provide 180 μN Fast operation forceand 10 μm deflection. High efficiency Actuator motions include: CMOScompatible voltages 1) Bend and currents 2) Push Easy extension fromsingle 3) Buckle nozzles to pagewidth 4) Rotate print heads Conductive Apolymer with a high coefficient High force can be generated Requiresspecial materials IJ24 polymer of thermal expansion (such as Very lowpower development (High CTE conductive thermoelastic PTFE) is doped withconducting consumption polymer) actuator substances to increase its Manyink types can be used Requires a PTFE deposition process, conductivityto about 3 orders of Simple planar fabrication which is not yet standardin ULSI magnitude below that of copper. Small chip area required forfabs The conducting polymer expands each actuator PTFE deposition cannotbe followed when resistively heated. Fast operation with hightemperature (above 350° C.) Examples of conducting dopants Highefficiency processing include: CMOS compatible voltages Evaporation andCVD deposition 1) Carbon nanotubes and currents techniques cannot beused 2) Metal fibers Easy extension from single Pigmented inks may beinfeasible, as 3) Conductive polymers such as nozzles to pagewidthpigment particles may jam the bend doped polythiophene print headsactuator 4) Carbon granules Shape A shape memory alloy such as Highforce is available Fatigue limits maximum number of IJ26 memory alloyTiNi (also known as Nitinol - (stresses of hundreds of cycles NickelTitanium alloy developed MPa) Low strain (1%) is required to extend atthe Naval Ordnance Large strain is available fatigue resistanceLaboratory) is thermally switched (more than 3%) Cycle rate limited byheat removal between its weak martensitic state High corrosionresistance Requires unusual materials (TiNi) and its high stiffnessaustenic Simple construction The latent heat of transformation muststate. The shape of the actuator in Easy extension from single beprovided its martensitic state is deformed nozzles to pagewidth Highcurrent operation relative to the austenic shape. The print headsRequires pre-stressing to distort the shape change causes ejection of aLow voltage operation martensitic state drop. Linear Linear magneticactuators include Linear Magnetic actuators Requires unusualsemiconductor IJ12 Magnetic the Linear Induction Actuator can beconstructed with materials such as soft magnetic Actuator (LIA), LinearPermanent Magnet high thrust, long travel, alloys (e.g. CoNiFe [1])Synchronous Actuator (LPMSA), and high efficiency using Some varietiesalso require permanent Linear Reluctance Synchronous planarsemiconductor magnetic materials such as Actuator (LRSA), Linearfabrication techniques Neodymium iron boron (NdFeB) Switched ReluctanceActuator Long actuator travel is Requires complex multi-phase drive(LSRA), and the Linear Stepper available circuitry Actuator (LSA).Medium force is available High current operation Low voltage operation

Basic Operation Mode

Operational mode Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples Actuatordirectly This is the simplest mode of Simple operation Drop repetitionrate is usually limited Thermal inkjet pushes ink operation: theactuator directly No external fields required to less than 10 KHz.However, this Piezoelectric inkjet supplies sufficient kinetic energySatellite drops can be is not fundamental to the method, IJ01, IJ02,IJ03, IJ04 to expel the drop. The drop must avoided if drop velocity isbut is related to the refill method IJ05, IJ06, IJ07, IJ09 have asufficient velocity to less than 4 m/s normally used IJ11, IJ12, IJ14,IJ16 overcome the surface tension. Can be efficient, depending All ofthe drop kinetic energy must be IJ20, IJ22, IJ23, IJ24 upon the actuatorused provided by the actuator IJ25, IJ26, IJ27, IJ28 Satellite dropsusually form if drop IJ29, IJ30, IJ31, IJ32 velocity is greater than 4.5m/s IJ33, IJ34, IJ35, IJ36 IJ37, IJ38, IJ39, IJ40 IJ41, IJ42, IJ43, IJ44Proximity The drops to be printed are Very simple print head Requiresclose proximity between the Silverbrook, EP 0771 selected by some manner(e.g. fabrication can be used print head and the print media or 658 A2and related thermally induced surface tension The drop selection meanstransfer roller patent applications reduction of pressurized ink). doesnot need to provide May require two print heads printing Selected dropsare separated from the energy required to alternate rows of the imagethe ink in the nozzle by contact separate the drop from the Monolithiccolor print heads are with the print medium or a nozzle difficulttransfer roller. Electrostatic The drops to be printed are Very simpleprint head Requires very high electrostatic field Silverbrook, EP 0771pull on ink selected by some manner (e.g. fabrication can be usedElectrostatic field for small nozzle 658 A2 and related thermallyinduced surface tension The drop selection means sizes is above airbreakdown patent applications reduction of pressurized ink). does notneed to provide Electrostatic field may attract dust Tone-Jet Selecteddrops are separated from the energy required to the ink in the nozzle bya strong separate the drop from the electric field. nozzle Magnetic pullon The drops to be printed are Very simple print head Requires magneticink Silverbrook, EP 0771 ink selected by some manner (e.g. fabricationcan be used Ink colors other than black are 658 A2 and related thermallyinduced surface tension The drop selection means difficult patentapplications reduction of pressurized ink). does not need to provideRequires very high magnetic fields Selected drops are separated from theenergy required to the ink in the nozzle by a strong separate the dropfrom the magnetic field acting on the nozzle magnetic ink. Shutter Theactuator moves a shutter to High speed (>50 KHz) Moving parts arerequired IJ13, IJ17, IJ21 block ink flow to the nozzle. The operationcan be achieved Requires ink pressure modulator ink pressure is pulsedat a due to reduced refill time Friction and wear must be consideredmultiple of the drop ejection Drop timing can be very Stiction ispossible frequency. accurate The actuator energy can be very lowShuttered The actuator moves a shutter to Actuators with small travelMoving parts are required IJ08, IJ15, IJ18, IJ19 grill block ink flowthrough a grill to can be used Requires ink pressure modulator thenozzle. The shutter movement Actuators with small force Friction andwear must be considered need only be equal to the width of can be usedStiction is possible the grill holes. High speed (>50 KHz) operation canbe achieved Pulsed A pulsed magnetic field attracts Extremely low energyRequires an external pulsed magnetic IJ10 magnetic pull an ‘ink pusher’at the drop operation is possible field on ink pusher ejectionfrequency. An actuator No heat dissipation Requires special materialsfor both the controls a catch, which prevents problems actuator and theink pusher the ink pusher from moving when Complex construction a dropis not to be ejected.

Auxiliary Mechanism (Applied to all Nozzles)

Auxiliary Mechanism Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples NoneThe actuator directly fires the ink Simplicity of construction Dropejection energy must be supplied Most inkjets, drop, and there is noexternal field Simplicity of operation by individual nozzle actuatorincluding or other mechanism required. Small physical size piezoelectricand thermal bubble. IJ01-IJ07, IJ09, IJ11 IJ12, IJ14, IJ20, IJ22IJ23-IJ45 Oscillating The ink pressure oscillates, Oscillating inkpressure can Requires external ink pressure Silverbrook, EP 0771 inkpressure providing much of the drop provide a refill pulse, oscillator658 A2 and related (including ejection energy. The actuator allowinghigher operating Ink pressure phase and amplitude must patentapplications acoustic selects which drops are to be fired speed becarefully controlled IJ08, IJ13, IJ15, IJ17 stimulation) by selectivelyblocking or The actuators may operate Acoustic reflections in the inkIJ18, IJ19, IJ21 enabling nozzles. The ink pressure with much lowerenergy chamber must be designed for oscillation may be achieved byAcoustic lenses can be used vibrating the print head, or to focus thesound on the preferably by an actuator in the nozzles ink supply. Mediaproximity The print head is placed in close Low power Precision assemblyrequired Silverbrook, EP 0771 proximity to the print medium. Highaccuracy Paper fibers may cause problems 658 A2 and related Selecteddrops protrude from the Simple print head Cannot print on roughsubstrates patent applications print head further than unselectedconstruction drops, and contact the print medium. The drop soaks intothe medium fast enough to cause drop separation. Transfer Drops areprinted to a transfer High accuracy Bulky Silverbrook, EP 0771 rollerroller instead of straight to the Wide range of print Expensive 658 A2and related print medium. A transfer roller substrates can be usedComplex construction patent applications can also be used for proximityInk can be dried on the Tektronix hot melt drop separation. transferroller piezoelectric inkjet Any of the IJ series Electrostatic Anelectric field is used to Low power Field strength required forseparation Silverbrook, EP 0771 accelerate selected drops towards Simpleprint head of small drops is near or above air 658 A2 and related theprint medium. construction breakdown patent applications Tone-Jet DirectA magnetic field is used to Low power Requires magnetic ink Silverbrook,EP 0771 magnetic accelerate selected drops of Simple print head Requiresstrong magnetic field 658 A2 and related field magnetic ink towards theprint construction patent applications medium. Cross The print head isplaced in a Does not require magnetic Requires external magnet IJ06,IJ16 magnetic constant magnetic field. The materials to be integratedCurrent densities may be high, field Lorenz force in a current carryingin the print head resulting in electromigration wire is used to move theactuator. manufacturing process problems Pulsed A pulsed magnetic fieldis used to Very low power operation is Complex print head constructionIJ10 magnetic cyclically attract a paddle, which possible Magneticmaterials required in print field pushes on the ink. A small Small printhead size head actuator moves a catch, which selectively prevents thepaddle from moving.

Actuator Amplification or Modification Method

Actuator amplification Description Advantages Disadvantages ExamplesNone No actuator mechanical Operational simplicity Many actuatormechanisms have Thermal Bubble Inkjet amplification is used. Theactuator insufficient travel, or insufficient IJ01, IJ02, IJ06, IJ07directly drives the drop ejection force, to efficiently drive the dropIJ16, IJ25, IJ26 process. ejection process Differential An actuatormaterial expands Provides greater travel in a High stresses are involvedPiezoelectric expansion more on one side than on the reduced print headarea Care must be taken that the materials IJ03, IJ09, IJ17-IJ24 bendactuator other. The expansion may be The bend actuator converts do notdelaminate IJ27, IJ29-IJ39, IJ42, thermal, piezoelectric, a high forcelow travel Residual bend resulting from high IJ43, IJ44magnetostrictive, or other actuator mechanism to temperature or highstress during mechanism. high travel, lower force formation mechanism.Transient A trilayer bend actuator where the Very good temperature Highstresses are involved IJ40, IJ41 bend actuator two outside layers areidentical. stability Care must be taken that the materials This cancelsbend due to ambient High speed, as a new drop do not delaminatetemperature and residual stress. can be fired before heat The actuatoronly responds to dissipates transient heating of one side or the Cancelsresidual stress of other. formation Actuator A series of thin actuatorsare Increased travel Increased fabrication complexity Some piezoelectricstack stacked. This can be appropriate Reduced drive voltage Increasedpossibility of short circuits ink jets where actuators require high dueto pinholes IJ04 electric field strength, such as electrostatic andpiezoelectric actuators. Multiple Multiple smaller actuators areIncreases the force available Actuator forces may not add linearly,IJ12, IJ13, IJ18, IJ20 actuators used simultaneously to move the from anactuator reducing efficiency IJ22, IJ28, IJ42, IJ43 ink. Each actuatorneed provide Multiple actuators can be only a portion of the forcepositioned to control ink required. flow accurately Linear Spring Alinear spring is used to Matches low travel actuator Requires print headarea for the IJ15 transform a motion with small with higher travelspring travel and high force into a longer requirements travel, lowerforce motion. Non-contact method of motion transformation Reverse Theactuator loads a spring. When Better coupling to the ink Fabricationcomplexity IJ05, IJ11 spring the actuator is turned off, the High stressin the spring spring releases. This can reverse the force/distance curveof the actuator to make it compatible with the force/time requirementsof the drop ejection. Coiled A bend actuator is coiled to Increasestravel Generally restricted to planar IJ17, IJ21, IJ34, IJ35 actuatorprovide greater travel in a reduced Reduces chip area implementationsdue to extreme chip area. Planar implementations are fabricationdifficulty in other relatively easy to orientations. fabricate. Flexurebend A bend actuator has a small Simple means of increasing Care must betaken not to exceed the IJ10, IJ19, IJ33 actuator region near thefixture point, travel of a bend actuator elastic limit in the flexurearea which flexes much more readily Stress distribution is very uneventhan the remainder of the actuator. Difficult to accurately model withThe actuator flexing is effectively finite element analysis convertedfrom an even coiling to an angular bend, resulting in greater travel ofthe actuator tip. Gears Gears can be used to increase Low force, lowtravel Moving parts are required IJ13 travel at the expense of duration.actuators can be used Several actuator cycles are required Circulargears, rack and pinion, Can be fabricated using More complex driveelectronics ratchets, and other gearing standard surface MEMS Complexconstruction methods can be used. processes Friction, friction, and wearare possible Catch The actuator controls a small Very low actuatorenergy Complex construction IJ10 catch. The catch either enables or Verysmall actuator size Requires external force disables movement of an inkUnsuitable for pigmented inks pusher that is controlled in a bulkmanner. Buckle plate A buckle plate can be used to Very fast movementMust stay within elastic limits of the S. Hirata et al, “An change aslow actuator into a fast achievable materials for long device lifeInk-jet Head . . . ”, motion. It can also convert a high High stressesinvolved Proc. IEEE MEMS, force, low travel actuator into a Generallyhigh power requirement February 1996, pp 418-423. high travel, mediumforce motion. IJ18, IJ27 Tapered A tapered magnetic pole can Linearizesthe magnetic Complex construction IJ14 magnetic increase travel at theexpense of force/distance curve pole force. Lever A lever and fulcrum isused to Matches low travel actuator High stress around the fulcrum IJ32,IJ36, IJ37 transform a motion with small with higher travel travel andhigh force into a requirements motion with longer travel and Fulcrumarea has no linear lower force. The lever can also movement, and can bereverse the direction of travel. used for a fluid seal Rotary Theactuator is connected to a High mechanical advantage Complexconstruction IJ28 impeller rotary impeller. A small angular The ratio offorce to travel Unsuitable for pigmented inks deflection of the actuatorresults of the actuator can be in a rotation of the impeller vanes,matched to the nozzle which push the ink against requirements by varyingstationary vanes and out of the the number of impeller nozzle. vanesAcoustic lens A refractive or diffractive (e.g. No moving parts Largearea required 1993 Hadimioglu et zone plate) acoustic lens is used toOnly relevant for acoustic ink jets al, EUP 550,192 concentrate soundwaves. 1993 Elrod et al, EUP 572,220 Sharp A sharp point is used toSimple construction Difficult to fabricate using standard Tone-jetconductive concentrate an electrostatic field. VLSI processes for asurface point ejecting ink-jet Only relevant for electrostatic ink jets

Actuator Motion

Actuator motion Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples Volume Thevolume of the actuator Simple construction in the High energy istypically required to Hewlett-Packard expansion changes, pushing the inkin all case of thermal ink jet achieve volume expansion. This ThermalInkjet directions. leads to thermal stress, cavitation, Canon Bubblejetand kogation in thermal ink jet implementations Linear, The actuatormoves in a direction Efficient coupling to ink High fabricationcomplexity may be IJ01, IJ02, IJ04, IJ07 normal to normal to the printhead surface. drops ejected normal to required to achieve perpendicularIJ11, IJ14 chip surface The nozzle is typically in the line the surfacemotion of movement. Linear, The actuator moves parallel to the Suitablefor planar Fabrication complexity IJ12, IJ13, IJ15, IJ33, parallel toprint head surface. Drop ejection fabrication Friction IJ34, IJ35, IJ36chip surface may still be normal to the surface. Stiction Membrane Anactuator with a high force but The effective area of the Fabricationcomplexity 1982 Howkins U.S. Pat. No. push small area is used to push astiff actuator becomes the Actuator size 4,459,601 membrane that is incontact with membrane area Difficulty of integration in a VLSI the ink.process Rotary The actuator causes the rotation of Rotary levers may beused Device complexity IJ05, IJ08, IJ13, IJ28 some element, such a grillor to increase travel May have friction at a pivot point impeller Smallchip area requirements Bend The actuator bends when A very small changein Requires the actuator to be made from 1970 Kyser et al U.S. Pat. No.energized. This may be due to dimensions can be at least two distinctlayers, or to 3,946,398 differential thermal expansion, converted to alarge have a thermal difference across the 1973 Stemme U.S. Pat. No.piezoelectric expansion, motion. actuator 3,747,120 magnetostriction, orother form of IJ03, IJ09, IJ10, IJ19 relative dimensional change. IJ23,IJ24, IJ25, IJ29 IJ30, IJ31, IJ33, IJ34 IJ35 Swivel The actuator swivelsaround a Allows operation where the Inefficient coupling to the inkmotion IJ06 central pivot. This motion is net linear force on thesuitable where there are opposite paddle is zero forces applied toopposite sides of Small chip area the paddle, e.g. Lorenz force.requirements Straighten The actuator is normally bent, and Can be usedwith shape Requires careful balance of stresses to IJ26, IJ32straightens when energized. memory alloys where the ensure that thequiescent bend is austenic phase is planar accurate Double bend Theactuator bends in one One actuator can be used to Difficult to make thedrops ejected by IJ36, IJ37, IJ38 direction when one element is powertwo nozzles. both bend directions identical. energized, and bends theother Reduced chip size. A small efficiency loss compared to way whenanother element is Not sensitive to ambient equivalent single bendactuators. energized. temperature Shear Energizing the actuator causes aCan increase the effective Not readily applicable to other 1985 FishbeckU.S. Pat. No. shear motion in the actuator travel of piezoelectricactuator mechanisms 4,584,590 material. actuators Radial The actuatorsqueezes an ink Relatively easy to fabricate High force required 1970Zoltan U.S. Pat. No. constriction reservoir, forcing ink from a singlenozzles from glass Inefficient 3,683,212 constricted nozzle. tubing asmacroscopic Difficult to integrate with VLSI structures processesCoil/uncoil A coiled actuator uncoils or coils Easy to fabricate as aplanar Difficult to fabricate for non-planar IJ17, IJ21, IJ34, IJ35 moretightly. The motion of the VLSI process devices free end of the actuatorejects the Small area required, Poor out-of-plane stiffness ink.therefore low cost Bow The actuator bows (or buckles) in Can increasethe speed of Maximum travel is constrained IJ16, IJ18, IJ27 the middlewhen energized. travel High force required Mechanically rigid Push-PullTwo actuators control a shutter. The structure is pinned at Not readilysuitable for inkjets which IJ18 One actuator pulls the shutter, and bothends, so has a high directly push the ink the other pushes it.out-of-plane rigidity Curl inwards A set of actuators curl inwards toGood fluid flow to the Design complexity IJ20, IJ42 reduce the volume ofink that they region behind the actuator enclose. increases efficiencyCurl A set of actuators curl outwards, Relatively simple Relativelylarge chip area IJ43 outwards pressurizing ink in a chamber constructionsurrounding the actuators, and expelling ink from a nozzle in thechamber. Iris Multiple vanes enclose a volume High efficiency Highfabrication complexity IJ22 of ink. These simultaneously Small chip areaNot suitable for pigmented inks rotate, reducing the volume between thevanes. Acoustic The actuator vibrates at a high The actuator can beLarge area required for efficient 1993 Hadimioglu et vibrationfrequency. physically distant from operation at useful frequencies al,EUP 550,192 the ink Acoustic coupling and crosstalk 1993 Elrod et al,EUP Complex drive circuitry 572,220 Poor control of drop volume andposition None In various ink jet designs the No moving parts Variousother tradeoffs are required to Silverbrook, EP 0771 actuator does notmove. eliminate moving parts 658 A2 and related patent applicationsTone-jet

Nozzle Refill Method

Nozzle refill method Description Advantages Disadvantages ExamplesSurface tension After the actuator is energized, it Fabricationsimplicity Low speed Thermal inkjet typically returns rapidly to itsOperational simplicity Surface tension force relatively smallPiezoelectric inkjet normal position. This rapid return compared toactuator force IJ01-IJ07, IJ10-IJ14 sucks in air through the nozzle Longrefill time usually dominates the IJ16, IJ20, IJ22-IJ45 opening. The inksurface tension total repetition rate at the nozzle then exerts a smallforce restoring the meniscus to a minimum area. Shuttered oscillatingInk to the nozzle chamber is High speed Requires common ink pressureIJ08, IJ13, IJ15, IJ17 ink pressure provided at a pressure that Lowactuator energy, as the oscillator IJ18, IJ19, IJ21 oscillates at twicethe drop actuator need only open May not be suitable for pigmentedejection frequency. When a drop or close the shutter, inks is to beejected, the shutter is instead of ejecting the ink opened for 3 halfcycles: drop drop ejection, actuator return, and refill. Refill actuatorAfter the main actuator has High speed, as the nozzle is Requires twoindependent actuators IJ09 ejected a drop a second (refill) activelyrefilled per nozzle actuator is energized. The refill actuator pushesink into the nozzle chamber. The refill actuator returns slowly, toprevent its return from emptying the chamber again. Positive inkpressure The ink is held a slight positive High refill rate, therefore aSurface spill must be prevented Silverbrook, EP 0771 pressure. After theink drop is high drop repetition rate Highly hydrophobic print head 658A2 and related ejected, the nozzle chamber fills is possible surfacesare required patent applications quickly as surface tension and inkAlternative for: pressure both operate to refill the IJ01-IJ07,IJ10-IJ14 nozzle. IJ16, IJ20, IJ22-IJ45

Method of Restricting Back-Flow Through Inlet

Inlet back- flow restriction method Description Advantages DisadvantagesExamples Long inlet channel The ink inlet channel to the nozzle Designsimplicity Restricts refill rate Thermal inkjet chamber is made long andOperational simplicity May result in a relatively large chipPiezoelectric inkjet relatively narrow, relying on Reduces crosstalkarea IJ42, IJ43 viscous drag to reduce inlet back- Only partiallyeffective flow. Positive ink pressure The ink is under a positive Dropselection and Requires a method (such as a nozzle Silverbrook, EP 0771pressure, so that in the quiescent separation forces can be rim oreffective hydrophobizing, or 658 A2 and related state some of the inkdrop already reduced both) to prevent flooding of the patentapplications protrudes from the nozzle. Fast refill time ejectionsurface of the print head. Possible operation of This reduces thepressure in the the following: nozzle chamber which is requiredIJ01-IJ07, IJ09-IJ12 to eject a certain volume of ink. IJ14, IJ16, IJ20,IJ22, The reduction in chamber IJ23-IJ34, IJ36-IJ41 pressure results ina reduction in IJ44 ink pushed out through the inlet. Baffle One or morebaffles are placed in The refill rate is not as Design complexity HPThermal Ink Jet the inlet ink flow. When the restricted as the longinlet May increase fabrication complexity Tektronix actuator isenergized, the rapid ink method. (e.g. Tektronix hot melt piezoelectricink jet movement creates eddies which Reduces crosstalk Piezoelectricprint heads). restrict the flow through the inlet. The slower refillprocess is unrestricted, and does not result in eddies. Flexible flap Inthis method recently disclosed Significantly reduces back- Notapplicable to most inkjet Canon restricts inlet by Canon, the expandingactuator flow for edge-shooter configurations (bubble) pushes on aflexible flap thermal ink jet devices Increased fabrication complexitythat restricts the inlet. Inelastic deformation of polymer flap resultsin creep over extended use Inlet filter A filter is located between theink Additional advantage of ink Restricts refill rate IJ04, IJ12, IJ24,IJ27 inlet and the nozzle chamber. The filtration May result in complexconstruction IJ29, IJ30 filter has a multitude of small Ink filter maybe fabricated holes or slots, restricting ink flow. with no additionalThe filter also removes particles process steps which may block thenozzle. Small inlet compared The ink inlet channel to the nozzle Designsimplicity Restricts refill rate IJ02, IJ37, IJ44 to nozzle chamber hasa substantially May result in a relatively large chip smaller crosssection than that of area the nozzle, resulting in easier ink Onlypartially effective egress out of the nozzle than out of the inlet.Inlet shutter A secondary actuator controls the Increases speed of theink- Requires separate refill actuator and IJ09 position of a shutter,closing off jet print head operation drive circuit the ink inlet whenthe main actuator is energized. The inlet is located The method avoidsthe problem of Back-flow problem is Requires careful design to minimizeIJ01, IJ03, IJ05, IJ06 behind the inlet back-flow by arranging theeliminated the negative pressure behind the IJ07, IJ10, IJ11, IJ14ink-pushing surface ink-pushing surface of the paddle IJ16, IJ22, IJ23,IJ25 actuator between the inlet and the IJ28, IJ31, IJ32, IJ33 nozzle.IJ34, IJ35, IJ36, IJ39 IJ40, IJ41 Part of the The actuator and a wall ofthe ink Significant reductions in Small increase in fabrication IJ07,IJ20, IJ26, IJ38 actuator chamber are arranged so that the back-flow canbe complexity moves to motion of the actuator closes off achieved shutoff the the inlet. Compact designs possible inlet Nozzle In someconfigurations of ink jet, Ink back-flow problem is None related to inkback-flow on Silverbrook, EP 0771 actuator does there is no expansion oreliminated actuation 658 A2 and related not result in movement of anactuator which patent applications ink back-flow may cause ink back-flowthrough Valve-jet the inlet. Tone-jet IJ08, IJ13, IJ15, IJ17 IJ18, IJ19,IJ21

Nozzle Clearing Method

Nozzle Clearing method Description Advantages Disadvantages ExamplesNormal All of the nozzles are fired No added complexity on the May notbe sufficient to displace dried Most ink jet systems nozzle firingperiodically, before the ink has a print head ink IJ01-IJ07, IJ09-IJ12chance to dry. When not in use IJ14, IJ16, IJ20, IJ22 the nozzles aresealed (capped) IJ23-IJ34, IJ36-IJ45 against air. The nozzle firing isusually performed during a special clearing cycle, after first movingthe print head to a cleaning station. Extra power to In systems whichheat the ink, but Can be highly effective if Requires higher drivevoltage for Silverbrook, EP 0771 ink heater do not boil it under normalthe heater is adjacent to clearing 658 A2 and related situations, nozzleclearing can be the nozzle May require larger drive transistors patentapplications achieved by over-powering the heater and boiling ink at thenozzle. Rapid succession The actuator is fired in rapid Does not requireextra drive Effectiveness depends substantially May be used with: ofactuator pulses succession. In some circuits on the print head upon theconfiguration of the inkjet IJ01-IJ07, IJ09-IJ11 configurations, thismay cause Can be readily controlled nozzle IJ14, IJ16, IJ20, IJ22 heatbuild-up at the nozzle which and initiated by digital IJ23-IJ25,IJ27-IJ34 boils the ink, clearing the nozzle. logic IJ36-IJ45 In othersituations, it may cause sufficient vibrations to dislodge cloggednozzles. Extra power Where an actuator is not normally A simple solutionwhere Not suitable where there is a hard limit May be used with: to inkdriven to the limit of its motion, applicable to actuator movement IJ03,IJ09, IJ16, IJ20 pushing nozzle clearing may be assisted by IJ23, IJ24,IJ25, IJ27 actuator providing an enhanced drive IJ29, IJ30, IJ31, IJ32signal to the actuator. IJ39, IJ40, IJ41, IJ42 IJ43, IJ44, IJ45 AcousticAn ultrasonic wave is applied to A high nozzle clearing Highimplementation cost if system IJ08, IJ13, IJ15, IJ17 resonance the inkchamber. This wave is of capability can be does not already include anacoustic IJ18, IJ19, IJ21 an appropriate amplitude and achieved actuatorfrequency to cause sufficient force May be implemented at very at thenozzle to clear blockages, low cost in systems which This is easiest toachieve if the already include acoustic ultrasonic wave is at a resonantactuators frequency of the ink cavity. Nozzle A microfabricated plate ispushed Can clear severely clogged Accurate mechanical alignment isSilverbrook, EP 0771 clearing plate against the nozzles. The plate hasnozzles required 658 A2 and related a post for every nozzle. The arrayMoving parts are required patent applications of posts There is risk ofdamage to the nozzles Accurate fabrication is required Ink pressure Thepressure of the ink is May be effective where Requires pressure pump orother May be used with all pulse temporarily increased so that ink othermethods cannot be pressure actuator IJ series ink jets streams from allof the nozzles. used Expensive This may be used in conjunction Wastefulof ink with actuator energizing. Print head A flexible ‘blade’ is wipedacross Effective for planar print Difficult to use if print head surfaceis Many ink jet systems wiper the print head surface. The blade headsurfaces non-planar or very fragile is usually fabricated from a Lowcost Requires mechanical parts flexible polymer, e.g. rubber or Bladecan wear out in high volume synthetic elastomer. print systems Separateink A separate heater is provided at Can be effective where Fabricationcomplexity Can be used with boiling heater the nozzle although thenormal other nozzle clearing many IJ series ink drop e-ection mechanismdoes methods cannot be used jets not require it. The heaters do not Canbe implemented at no require individual drive circuits, additional costin some as many nozzles can be cleared inkjet configurationssimultaneously, and no imaging is required.

Nozzle Plate Construction

Nozzle plate construction Description Advantages Disadvantages ExamplesElectroformed A nozzle plate is separately Fabrication simplicity Hightemperatures and pressures are Hewlett Packard nickel fabricated fromelectroformed required to bond nozzle plate Thermal Inkjet nickel, andbonded to the print Minimum thickness constraints head chip.Differential thermal expansion Laser ablated Individual nozzle holes areNo masks required Each hole must be individually formed Canon Bubblejetor drilled ablated by an intense UV laser in Can be quite fast Specialequipment required 1988 Sercel et al., polymer a nozzle plate, which istypically a Some control over nozzle Slow where there are many thousandsSPIE, Vol. 998 polymer such as polyimide or profile is possible ofnozzles per print head Excimer Beam polysulphone Equipment required isMay produce thin burrs at exit holes Applications, pp. relatively lowcost 76-83 1993 Watanabe et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,208,604 Silicon micro-A separate nozzle plate is High accuracy is attainable Two partconstruction K. Bean, IEEE machined micromachined from single High costTransactions on crystal silicon, and bonded to the Requires precisionalignment Electron Devices, print head wafer. Nozzles may be clogged byadhesive Vol. ED-25, No. 10, 1978, pp 1185-1195 Xerox 1990 Hawkins etal., U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,181 Glass Fine glass capillaries are drawn Noexpensive equipment Very small nozzle sizes are difficult to 1970 ZoltanU.S. Pat. No. capillaries from glass tubing. This method required form3,683,212 has been used for making Simple to make single Not suited formass production individual nozzles, but is difficult nozzles to use forbulk manufacturing of print heads with thousands of nozzles. Monolithic,The nozzle plate is deposited as a High accuracy (<1 μm) Requiressacrificial layer under the Silverbrook, EP 0771 surface layer usingstandard VLSI Monolithic nozzle plate to form the nozzle 658 A2 andrelated micro- deposition techniques. Nozzles Low cost chamber patentapplications machined are etched in the nozzle plate Existing processescan be Surface may be fragile to the touch IJ01, IJ02, IJ04, IJ11 usingVLSI using VLSI lithography and used IJ12, IJ17, IJ18, IJ20 lithographicetching. IJ22, IJ24, IJ27, IJ28 processes IJ29, IJ30, IJ31, IJ32 IJ33,IJ34, IJ36, IJ37 IJ38, IJ39, IJ40, IJ41 IJ42, IJ43, IJ44 Monolithic, Thenozzle plate is a buried etch High accuracy (<1 μm) Requires long etchtimes IJ03, IJ05, IJ06, IJ07 etched stop in the wafer. Nozzle MonolithicRequires a support wafer IJ08, IJ09, IJ10, IJ13 through chambers areetched in the front Low cost IJ14, IJ15, IJ16, IJ19 substrate of thewafer, and the wafer is No differential expansion IJ21, IJ23, IJ25, IJ26thinned from the back side. Nozzles are then etched in the etch stoplayer. No nozzle Various methods have been tried No nozzles to becomeDifficult to control drop position Ricoh 1995 Sekiya et plate toeliminate the nozzles entirely, clogged accurately al U.S. Pat. No.5,412,413 to prevent nozzle clogging. These Crosstalk problems 1993Hadimioglu et al include thermal bubble EUP 550,192 mechanisms andacoustic lens 1993 Elrod et al EUP mechanisms 572,220 Trough Each dropejector has a trough Reduced manufacturing Drop firing direction issensitive to IJ35 through which a paddle moves. complexity wicking.There is no nozzle plate. Monolithic Nozzle slit The elimination ofnozzle holes No nozzles to become Difficult to control drop position1989 Saito et al U.S. Pat. instead of and replacement by a slit cloggedaccurately No. 4,799,068 individual encompassing many actuator Crosstalkproblems nozzles positions reduces nozzle clogging, but increasescrosstalk due to ink surface waves

Drop Ejection Direction

Ejection direction Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples EdgeInk flow is along the surface of Simple construction Nozzles limited toedge Canon Bubblejet 1979 (‘edge shooter’) the chip, and ink drops areejected No silicon etching required High resolution is difficult Endo etal GB from the chip edge. Good heat sinking via Fast color printingrequires one print patent 2,007,162 substrate head per color Xeroxheater-in-pit Mechanically strong 1990 Hawkins et al Ease of chiphanding U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,181 Tone-jet Surface Ink flow is along thesurface of No bulk silicon etching Maximum ink flow is severelyHewlett-Packard TIJ (‘roof shooter’) the chip, and ink drops are ejectedrequired restricted 1982 Vaught et al from the chip surface, normal toSilicon can make an U.S. Pat. No. 4,490,728 the plane of the chip.effective heat sink IJ02, IJ11, IJ12, IJ20 Mechanical strength IJ22Through Ink flow is through the chip, and High ink flow Requires bulksilicon etching Silverbrook, EP 0771 chip, forward ink drops are ejectedfrom the Suitable for pagewidth print 658 A2 and related (‘up shooter’)front surface of the chip. High nozzle packing density patentapplications therefore low IJ04, IJ17, IJ18, IJ24 manufacturing costIJ27-IJ45 Through Ink flow is through the chip, and High ink flowRequires wafer thinning IJ01, IJ03, IJ05, IJ06 chip, reverse ink dropsare ejected from the rear Suitable for pagewidth print Requires specialhandling during IJ07, IJ08, IJ09, IJ10 (‘down shooter’) surface of thechip. High nozzle packing density manufacture IJ13, IJ14, IJ15, IJ16therefore low IJ19, IJ21, IJ23, IJ25 manufacturing cost IJ26 Through Inkflow is through the actuator, Suitable for piezoelectric Pagewidth printheads require several Epson Stylus actuator which is not fabricated aspart of print heads thousand connections to drive Tektronix hot melt thesame substrate as the drive circuits piezoelectric ink transistors.Cannot be manufactured in standard jets CMOS fabs Complex assemblyrequired

Ink Type

Ink type Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples Aqueous, dyeWater based ink which typically Environmentally friendly Slow dryingMost existing inkjets contains: water, dye, surfactant, No odorCorrosive All IJ series ink jets humectant, and biocide. Bleeds on paperSilverbrook, EP 0771 Modern ink dyes have high water- May strikethrough658 A2 and related fastness, light fastness Cockles paper patentapplications Aqueous, Water based ink which typically Environmentallyfriendly Slow drying IJ02, IJ04, IJ21, IJ26 pigment contains: water,pigment, No odor Corrosive IJ27, IJ30 surfactant, humectant, and Reducedbleed Pigment may clog nozzles Silverbrook, EP 0771 biocide. Reducedwicking Pigment may clog actuator 658 A2 and related Pigments have anadvantage in Reduced strikethrough mechanisms patent applicationsreduced bleed, wicking and Cockles paper Piezoelectric ink-jetsstrikethrough. Thermal ink jets (with significant restrictions) MethylEthyl MEK is a highly volatile solvent Very fast drying Odorous All IJseries ink jets Ketone (MEK) used for industrial printing on Prints onvarious substrates Flammable difficult surfaces such as such as metalsand aluminum cans. plastics Alcohol Alcohol based inks can be used Fastdrying Slight odor All IJ series ink jets (ethanol, 2- where the printermust operate at Operates at sub-freezing Flammable butanol, andtemperatures below the freezing temperatures others) point of water. Anexample of this Reduced paper cockle is in-camera consumer Low costphotographic printing. Phase The ink is solid at room No drying time-inkHigh viscosity Tektronix hot melt change temperature, and is melted inthe instantly freezes on the Printed ink typically has a ‘waxy’ feelpiezoelectric ink (hot melt) print head before jetting. Hot melt printmedium Printed pages may ‘block’ jets inks are usually wax based, with aAlmost any print medium Ink temperature may be above the 1989 Nowak U.S.Pat. No. melting point around 80° C. After can be used curie point ofpermanent magnets 4,820,346 jetting the ink freezes almost No papercockle occurs Ink heaters consume power All IJ series ink jets instantlyupon contacting the print No wicking occurs Long warm-up time medium ora transfer roller. No bleed occurs No strikethrough occurs Oil Oil basedinks are extensively High solubility medium for High viscosity: this isa significant All IJ series ink jets used in offset printing. They havesome dyes limitation for use in inkjets, which advantages in improvedDoes not cockle paper usually require a low viscosity. characteristicson paper Does not wick through Some short chain and multi- (especiallyno wicking or cockle). paper branched oils have a sufficiently Oilsoluble dies and pigments are low viscosity. required. Slow dryingMicroemulsion A microemulsion is a stable, self Stops ink bleedViscosity higher than water All IJ series ink jets forming emulsion ofoil, water, High dye solubility Cost is slightly higher than water andsurfactant. The characteristic Water, oil, and amphiphilic based inkdrop size is less than 100 nm, and soluble dies can be used Highsurfactant concentration required is determined by the preferred Canstabilize pigment (around 5%) curvature of the surfactant. suspensions

Ink Jet Printing

A large number of new forms of ink jet printers have been developed tofacilitate alternative ink jet technologies for the image processing anddata distribution system. Various combinations of ink jet devices can beincluded in printer devices incorporated as part of the presentinvention. Australian Provisional Patent Applications relating to theseink jets which are specifically incorporated by cross reference. Theserial numbers of respective corresponding US patent applications arealso provided for the sake of convenience.

Australian US Patent/Patent Provisional Application and Filing NumberFiling Date Title Date PO8066 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method andApparatus 6,227,652 (IJ01) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8072 15-Jul-97 ImageCreation Method and Apparatus 6,213,588 (IJ02) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO804015-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus 6,213,589 (IJ03) (Jul. 10,1998) PO8071 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus 6,231,163(IJ04) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8047 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method andApparatus 6,247,795 (IJ05) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8035 15-Jul-97 ImageCreation Method and Apparatus 6,394,581 (IJ06) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO804415-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus 6,244,691 (IJ07) (Jul. 10,1998) PO8063 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus 6,257,704(IJ08) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8057 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method andApparatus 6,416,168 (IJ09) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8056 15-Jul-97 ImageCreation Method and Apparatus 6,220,694 (IJ10) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO806915-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus 6,257,705 (IJ11) (Jul. 10,1998) PO8049 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus 6,247,794(IJ12) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8036 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method andApparatus 6,234,610 (IJ13) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8048 15-Jul-97 ImageCreation Method and Apparatus 6,247,793 (IJ14) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO807015-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus 6,264,306 (IJ15) (Jul. 10,1998) PO8067 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus 6,241,342(IJ16) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8001 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method andApparatus 6,247,792 (IJ17) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8038 15-Jul-97 ImageCreation Method and Apparatus 6,264,307 (IJ18) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO803315-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus 6,254,220 (IJ19) (Jul. 10,1998) PO8002 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus 6,234,611(IJ20) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8068 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method andApparatus 6,302,528 (IJ21) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8062 15-Jul-97 ImageCreation Method and Apparatus 6,283,582 (IJ22) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO803415-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus 6,239,821 (IJ23) (Jul. 10,1998) PO8039 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus 6,338,547(IJ24) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8041 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method andApparatus 6,247,796 (IJ25) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8004 15-Jul-97 ImageCreation Method and Apparatus 09/113,122 (IJ26) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO803715-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus 6,390,603 (IJ27) (Jul. 10,1998) PO8043 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus 6,362,843(IJ28) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8042 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method andApparatus 6,293,653 (IJ29) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8064 15-Jul-97 ImageCreation Method and Apparatus 6,312,107 (IJ30) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO938923-Sep-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus 6,227,653 (IJ31) (Jul. 10,1998) PO9391 23-Sep-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus 6,234,609(IJ32) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0888 12-Dec-97 Image Creation Method andApparatus 6,238,040 (IJ33) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0891 12-Dec-97 ImageCreation Method and Apparatus 6,188,415 (IJ34) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP089012-Dec-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus 6,227,654 (IJ35) (Jul. 10,1998) PP0873 12-Dec-97 Image Creation Method and Apparatus 6,209,989(IJ36) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0993 12-Dec-97 Image Creation Method andApparatus 6,247,791 (IJ37) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0890 12-Dec-97 ImageCreation Method and Apparatus 6,336,710 (IJ38) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP139819-Jan-98 An Image Creation Method and 6,217,153 Apparatus (IJ39) (Jul.10, 1998) PP2592 25-Mar-98 An Image Creation Method and 6,416,167Apparatus (IJ40) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP2593 25-Mar-98 Image Creation Methodand Apparatus 6,243,113 (IJ41) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP3991 9-Jun-98 ImageCreation Method and Apparatus 6,283,581 (IJ42) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP39879-Jun-98 Image Creation Method and Apparatus 6,247,790 (IJ43) (Jul. 10,1998) PP3985 9-Jun-98 Image Creation Method and Apparatus 6,260,953(IJ44) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP3983 9-Jun-98 Image Creation Method andApparatus 6,267,469 (IJ45) (Jul. 10, 1998)

Ink Jet Manufacturing

Further, the present application may utilize advanced semiconductorfabrication techniques in the construction of large arrays of ink jetprinters. Suitable manufacturing techniques are described in thefollowing Australian provisional patent specifications incorporated hereby cross-reference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding USpatent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience.

Australian US Patent/Patent Provisional Filing Application and FilingNumber Date Title Date PO7935 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture of anImage 6,224,780 Creation Apparatus (IJM01) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO793615-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 6,235,212 CreationApparatus (IJM02) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7937 15-Jul-97 A Method ofManufacture of an Image 6,280,643 Creation Apparatus (IJM03) (Jul. 10,1998) PO8061 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 6,284,147Creation Apparatus (IJM04) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8054 15-Jul-97 A Method ofManufacture of an Image 6,214,244 Creation Apparatus (IJM05) (Jul. 10,1998) PO8065 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 6,071,750Creation Apparatus (IJM06) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8055 15-Jul-97 A Method ofManufacture of an Image 6,267,905 Creation Apparatus (IJM07) (Jul. 10,1998) PO8053 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 6,251,298Creation Apparatus (IJM08) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8078 15-Jul-97 A Method ofManufacture of an Image 6,258,285 Creation Apparatus (IJM09) (Jul. 10,1998) PO7933 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 6,225,138Creation Apparatus (IJM10) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7950 15-Jul-97 A Method ofManufacture of an Image 6,241,904 Creation Apparatus (IJM11) (Jul. 10,1998) PO7949 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 6,299,786Creation Apparatus (IJM12) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8060 15-Jul-97 A Method ofManufacture of an Image 09/113,124 Creation Apparatus (IJM13) (Jul. 10,1998) PO8059 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 6,231,773Creation Apparatus (IJM14) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8073 15-Jul-97 A Method ofManufacture of an Image 6,190,931 Creation Apparatus (IJM15) (Jul. 10,1998) PO8076 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 6,248,249Creation Apparatus (IJM16) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8075 15-Jul-97 A Method ofManufacture of an Image 6,290,862 Creation Apparatus (IJM17) (Jul. 10,1998) PO8079 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 6,241,906Creation Apparatus (IJM18) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8050 15-Jul-97 A Method ofManufacture of an Image 09/113,116 Creation Apparatus (IJM19) (Jul. 10,1998) PO8052 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 6,241,905Creation Apparatus (IJM20) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7948 15-Jul-97 A Method ofManufacture of an Image 6,451,216 Creation Apparatus (IJM21) (Jul. 10,1998) PO7951 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 6,231,772Creation Apparatus (IJM22) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8074 15-Jul-97 A Method ofManufacture of an Image 6,274,056 Creation Apparatus (IJM23) (Jul. 10,1998) PO7941 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 6,290,861Creation Apparatus (IJM24) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8077 15-Jul-97 A Method ofManufacture of an Image 6,248,248 Creation Apparatus (IJM25) (Jul. 10,1998) PO8058 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 6,306,671Creation Apparatus (IJM26) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8051 15-Jul-97 A Method ofManufacture of an Image 6,331,258 Creation Apparatus (IJM27) (Jul. 10,1998) PO8045 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 6,110,754Creation Apparatus (IJM28) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7952 15-Jul-97 A Method ofManufacture of an Image 6,294,101 Creation Apparatus (IJM29) (Jul. 10,1998) PO8046 15-Jul-97 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 6,416,679Creation Apparatus (IJM30) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8503 11-Aug-97 A Method ofManufacture of an Image 6,264,849 Creation Apparatus (IJM30a) (Jul. 10,1998) PO9390 23-Sep-97 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 6,254,793Creation Apparatus (IJM31) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9392 23-Sep-97 A Method ofManufacture of an Image 6,235,211 Creation Apparatus (IJM32) (Jul. 10,1998) PP0889 12-Dec-97 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 6,235,211Creation Apparatus (IJM35) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0887 12-Dec-97 A Method ofManufacture of an Image 6,264,850 Creation Apparatus (IJM36) (Jul. 10,1998) PP0882 12-Dec-97 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 6,258,284Creation Apparatus (IJM37) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0874 12-Dec-97 A Method ofManufacture of an Image 6,258,284 Creation Apparatus (IJM38) (Jul. 10,1998) PP1396 19-Jan-98 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 6,228,668Creation Apparatus (IJM39) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP2591 25-Mar-98 A Method ofManufacture of an Image 6,180,427 Creation Apparatus (IJM41) (Jul. 10,1998) PP3989 9-Jun-98 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 6,171,875Creation Apparatus (IJM40) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP3990 9-Jun-98 A Method ofManufacture of an Image 6,267,904 Creation Apparatus (IJM42) (Jul. 10,1998) PP3986 9-Jun-98 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 6,245,247Creation Apparatus (IJM43) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP3984 9-Jun-98 A Method ofManufacture of an Image 6,245,247 Creation Apparatus (IJM44) (Jul. 10,1998) PP3982 9-Jun-98 A Method of Manufacture of an Image 6,231,148Creation Apparatus (IJM45) (Jul. 10, 1998)

Fluid Supply

Further, the present application may utilize an ink delivery system tothe ink jet head. Delivery systems relating to the supply of ink to aseries of ink jet nozzles are described in the following Australianprovisional patent specifications, the disclosure of which are herebyincorporated by cross-reference. The serial numbers of respectivecorresponding US patent applications are also provided for the sake ofconvenience.

Australian US Patent/Patent Provisional Application Number Filing DateTitle and Filing Date PO8003 15-Jul-97 Supply Method 6,350,023 andApparatus (F1) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8005 15-Jul-97 Supply Method 6,318,849and Apparatus (F2) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9404 23-Sep-97 A Device and09/113,101 Method (F3) (Jul. 10, 1998)

MEMS Technology

Further, the present application may utilize advanced semiconductormicroelectromechanical techniques in the construction of large arrays ofink jet printers. Suitable microelectromechanical techniques aredescribed in the following Australian provisional patent specificationsincorporated here by cross-reference. The serial numbers of respectivecorresponding US patent applications are also provided for the sake ofconvenience.

Australian US Patent/Patent Provisional Application Number Filing DateTitle and Filing Date PO7943 15-Jul-97 A device (MEMS01) PO800615-Jul-97 A device (MEMS02) 6,087,638 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8007 15-Jul-97 Adevice (MEMS03) 09/113,093 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8008 15-Jul-97 A device(MEMS04) 6,340,222 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8010 15-Jul-97 A device (MEMS05)6,041,600 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8011 15-Jul-97 A device (MEMS06) 6,299,300(Jul. 10, 1998) PO7947 15-Jul-97 A device (MEMS07) 6,067,797 (Jul. 10,1998) PO7945 15-Jul-97 A device (MEMS08) 09/113,081 (Jul. 10, 1998)PO7944 15-Jul-97 A device (MEMS09) 6,286,935 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO794615-Jul-97 A device (MEMS10) 6,044,646 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9393 23-Sep-97 ADevice and Method 09/113,065 (MEMS11) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0875 12-Dec-97 ADevice (MEMS12) 09/113,078 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0894 12-Dec-97 A Device andMethod 09/113,075 (MEMS13) (Jul. 10, 1998)

IR Technologies

Further, the present application may include the utilization of adisposable camera system such as those described in the followingAustralian provisional patent specifications incorporated here bycross-reference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding USpatent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience.

Australian Provisional US Patent/Patent Number Filing Date TitleApplication and Filing Date PP0895 12-Dec-97 An Image Creation Methodand 6,231,148 Apparatus (IR01) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0870 12-Dec-97 A Deviceand Method (IR02) 09/113,106 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0869 12-Dec-97 A Deviceand Method (IR04) 6,293,658 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0887 12-Dec-97 ImageCreation Method and 09/113,104 Apparatus (IR05) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP088512-Dec-97 An Image Production System 6,238,033 (IR06) (Jul. 10, 1998)PP0884 12-Dec-97 Image Creation Method and 6,312,070 Apparatus (IR10)(Jul. 10, 1998) PP0886 12-Dec-97 Image Creation Method and 6,238,111Apparatus (IR12) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0871 12-Dec-97 A Device and Method(IR13) 09/113,086 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0876 12-Dec-97 An Image ProcessingMethod and 09/113,094 Apparatus (IR14) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0877 12-Dec-97A Device and Method (IR16) 6,378,970 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0878 12-Dec-97 ADevice and Method (IR17) 6,196,739 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0879 12-Dec-97 ADevice and Method (IR18) 09/112,774 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0883 12-Dec-97 ADevice and Method (IR19) 6,270,182 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0880 12-Dec-97 ADevice and Method (IR20) 6,152,619 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0881 12-Dec-97 ADevice and Method (IR21) 09/113,092 (Jul. 10, 1998)

DotCard Technologies

Further, the present application may include the utilization of a datadistribution system such as that described in the following Australianprovisional patent specifications incorporated here by cross-reference.The serial numbers of respective corresponding US patent applicationsare also provided for the sake of convenience.

Australian US Patent/Patent Provisional Application and Number FilingDate Title Filing Date PP2370 16-Mar-98 Data Processing Method09/112,781 and Apparatus (Dot01) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP2371 16-Mar-98 DataProcessing Method 09/113,052 and Apparatus (Dot02) (Jul. 10, 1998)

Artcam Technologies

Further, the present application may include the utilization of cameraand data processing techniques such as an Artcam type device asdescribed in the following Australian provisional patent specificationsincorporated here by cross-reference. The serial numbers of respectivecorresponding US patent applications are also provided for the sake ofconvenience.

Australian Provisional US Patent/Patent Number Filing Date TitleApplication and Filing Date PO7991 15-Jul-97 Image Processing Method and09/113,060 Apparatus (ART01) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7988 15-Jul-97 ImageProcessing Method and 6,476,863 Apparatus (ART02) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO799315-Jul-97 Image Processing Method and 09/113,073 Apparatus (ART03) (Jul.10, 1998) PO9395 23-Sep-97 Data Processing Method and Apparatus6,322,181 (ART04) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8017 15-Jul-97 Image ProcessingMethod and 09/112,747 Apparatus (ART06) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8014 15-Jul-97Media Device (ART07) 6,227,648 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8025 15-Jul-97 ImageProcessing Method and 09/112,750 Apparatus (ART08) (Jul. 10, 1998)PO8032 15-Jul-97 Image Processing Method and 09/112,746 Apparatus(ART09) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7999 15-Jul-97 Image Processing Method and09/112,743 Apparatus (ART10) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7998 15-Jul-97 ImageProcessing Method and 09/112,742 Apparatus (ART11) (Jul. 10, 1998)PO8031 15-Jul-97 Image Processing Method and 09/112,741 Apparatus(ART12) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8030 15-Jul-97 Media Device (ART13) 6,196,541(Jul. 10, 1998) PO7997 15-Jul-97 Media Device (ART15) 6,195,150 (Jul.10, 1998) PO7979 15-Jul-97 Media Device (ART16) 6,362,868 (Jul. 10,1998) PO8015 15-Jul-97 Media Device (ART17) 09/112,738 (Jul. 10, 1998)PO7978 15-Jul-97 Media Device (ART18) 09/113,067 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO798215-Jul-97 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 6,431,669 (ART19) (Jul.10, 1998) PO7989 15-Jul-97 Data Processing Method and Apparatus6,362,869 (ART20) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8019 15-Jul-97 Media ProcessingMethod and 6,472,052 Apparatus (ART21) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7980 15-Jul-97Image Processing Method and 6,356,715 Apparatus (ART22) (Jul. 10, 1998)PO8018 15-Jul-97 Image Processing Method and 09/112,777 Apparatus(ART24) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7938 15-Jul-97 Image Processing Method and09/113,224 Apparatus (ART25) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8016 15-Jul-97 ImageProcessing Method and 6,366,693 Apparatus (ART26) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO802415-Jul-97 Image Processing Method and 6,329,990 Apparatus (ART27) (Jul.10, 1998) PO7940 15-Jul-97 Data Processing Method and Apparatus09/113,072 (ART28) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7939 15-Jul-97 Data ProcessingMethod and Apparatus 09/112,785 (ART29) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8501 11-Aug-97Image Processing Method and 6,137,500 Apparatus (ART30) (Jul. 10, 1998)PO8500 11-Aug-97 Image Processing Method and 09/112,796 Apparatus(ART31) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7987 15-Jul-97 Data Processing Method andApparatus 09/113,071 (ART32) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8022 15-Jul-97 ImageProcessing Method and 6,398,328 Apparatus (ART33) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO849711-Aug-97 Image Processing Method and 09/113,090 Apparatus (ART34) (Jul.10, 1998) PO8020 15-Jul-97 Data Processing Method and Apparatus6,431,704 (ART38) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8023 15-Jul-97 Data ProcessingMethod and Apparatus 09/113,222 (ART39) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8504 11-Aug-97Image Processing Method and 09/112,786 Apparatus (ART42) (Jul. 10, 1998)PO8000 15-Jul-97 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 6,415,054 (ART43)(Jul. 10, 1998) PO7977 15-Jul-97 Data Processing Method and Apparatus09/112,782 (ART44) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7934 15-Jul-97 Data ProcessingMethod and Apparatus 09/113,056 (ART45) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7990 15-Jul-97Data Processing Method and Apparatus 09/113,059 (ART46) (Jul. 10, 1998)PO8499 11-Aug-97 Image Processing Method and 6,486,886 Apparatus (ART47)(Jul. 10, 1998) PO8502 11-Aug-97 Image Processing Method and 6,381,361Apparatus (ART48) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7981 15-Jul-97 Data ProcessingMethod and Apparatus 6,317,192 (ART50) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7986 15-Jul-97Data Processing Method and Apparatus 09/113,057 (ART51) (Jul. 10, 1998)PO7983 15-Jul-97 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 09/113,054 (ART52)(Jul. 10, 1998) PO8026 15-Jul-97 Image Processing Method and 09/112,752Apparatus (ART53) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8027 15-Jul-97 Image ProcessingMethod and 09/112,759 Apparatus (ART54) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8028 15-Jul-97Image Processing Method and 09/112,757 Apparatus (ART56) (Jul. 10, 1998)PO9394 23-Sep-97 Image Processing Method and 6,357,135 Apparatus (ART57)(Jul. 10, 1998) PO9396 23-Sep-97 Data Processing Method and Apparatus09/113,107 (ART58) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9397 23-Sep-97 Data ProcessingMethod and Apparatus 6,271,931 (ART59) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9398 23-Sep-97Data Processing Method and Apparatus 6,353,772 (ART60) (Jul. 10, 1998)PO9399 23-Sep-97 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 6,106,147 (ART61)(Jul. 10, 1998) PO9400 23-Sep-97 Data Processing Method and Apparatus09/112,790 (ART62) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9401 23-Sep-97 Data ProcessingMethod and Apparatus 6,304,291 (ART63) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9402 23-Sep-97Data Processing Method and Apparatus 09/112,788 (ART64) (Jul. 10, 1998)PO9403 23-Sep-97 Data Processing Method and Apparatus 6,305,770 (ART65)(Jul. 10, 1998) PO9405 23-Sep-97 Data Processing Method and Apparatus6,289,262 (ART66) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0959 16-Dec-97 A Data ProcessingMethod 6,315,200 and Apparatus (ART68) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP1397 19-Jan-98A Media Device (ART69) 6,217,165 (Jul. 10, 1998)

1. A digital camera comprising: an image sensor for capturing an image;an image processor for processing image data from the image sensor toproduce print data; a printhead for printing the print data; and acartridge interface for receiving a cartridge having a supply of mediasubstrates pre-printed with postcard formatting and a memory storinginformation relating to the dimensions of the postcard formatting,wherein the image processor produces the print data in accordance withthe stored information accessed via the cartridge interface to producepersonalised postcards.
 2. A digital camera according to claim 1 whereinthe cartridge further comprises the ink supply for the printhead and thememory is an authentication chip that allows the image processor toconfirm that the media substrate and the ink supplies are suitable foruse with the camera.
 3. A digital camera according to claim 1 wherein:the image sensor comprises a charge coupled device (CCD) and an autoexposure setting for adjusting the image data captured by the CCD inresponse to the lighting conditions at image capture; and the imageprocessor uses the auto exposure setting when processing the image datafrom the CCD.
 4. A digital camera according to claim 3 wherein the imageprocessor uses the auto exposure setting to determine a re-mapping ofcolour data within the image data from the CCD such that the printheadprints an amended image that takes account of the light conditions atimage capture.
 5. A digital camera according to claim 4 wherein there-mapping of the colour data produces deeper and richer colours in theamended image when the light conditions at image capture are dim.
 6. Adigital camera according to claim 4 wherein the re-mapping of the colourdata produces brighter and more saturated colours in the amended imagewhen the light conditions at image capture are bright.
 7. A digitalcamera according to claim 3 wherein the image processor uses the autoexposure setting to add exposure specific graphics to the printed image.